Reefer Madness

Plot

• Film revolves around melodramatic events due to marijuana use
• High school students lured by pushers
• Students become addicted, leading to crimes
• Rediscovered in 1970s, became satire
• Considered one of the worst films with a cult following

Production History

• Originally financed by a church group
• Intended as a morality tale about cannabis dangers
• Purchased by Dwain Esper for exploitation circuit
• Released under different titles in various territories
• Rediscovered in 1970s, gained new popularity

Distribution, Reception, and Legacy

• Film was purchased by exploitation filmmaker Dwain Esper
• Screened under different titles in various territories
• Rediscovered in 1970s and gained new popularity
• Considered one of the worst films ever made
• Gained a cult following within cannabis culture
• Reception and legacy: Cult classic, midnight movie status, mixed critical reviews
• Adaptations: Stage adaptations, music references, DVD release features comedic commentary

Preservation, Copyright, and Restoration

• Film had an improper copyright notice
• Found in Library of Congress archives in 1972
• Shown on college campuses for fundraising
• New Line Cinema realized the film was in the public domain
• Legend Films restored and colorized a print in 2004

References and External Links

• Various publications and sources provide insights
• Notable individuals like Leonard Maltin and Joe Stemme have commented on the film
• External links to Wikiquote, Wikimedia Commons, and related films
• Lists of related films and musical adaptations
• Detailed history and critiques available from various sources

Reefer Madness – Wikipedia Data Sources